Gluten free condiments, seasonings & spreads account for about 7% of the
global market for gluten free foods & beverages, with North America
leading in terms of regional share that is estimated to be 54% in 2014.
Europe and North America are also forecast as the two fastest growing
markets for gluten free condiments, seasonings & spreads.

Wheat, barley, rye and their derivatives are found to contain the
protein called gluten and individuals sensitive to it exhibit mild
symptoms of intolerance such as chronic diarrhea and vomiting. However,
there exists a sizeable population that shows typical symptoms of
intolerance that is classified as celiac disease. This is an inherited
autoimmune disorder in which gluten damages the small intestine, with
the only remedy for it being a strict gluten free diet for life. For
instance, prevalence of this disease in North America has been put at
between three and four million, though only 5%-10% of the cases have
been currently diagnosed.

The market for gluten free foods & beverages has undergone a radical
change from being considered specialty niche products to becoming
mainstream products. Millions of individuals around the world have
started consuming gluten free products, not only because of being
diagnosed with celiac disease but also because of a general perception
of maintaining better health. A current trend towards free from products
consumption has given further impetus to the gluten free foods &
beverages segment.